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Eric's Home Built Sanibel 18 "Volcano" |
Last Updated: January 6, 2004
HIN: FLZK9092D989
FLZ - Home Built in Florida.
K9092 - Model Number.
D9 - Built April 1989.
89 - Model Year = 1989.
Eric has provided us with some pictures of his "Home Built" Sanibel 18.
Your can contact Eric at bantuff@aol.com
A little history around Eric's "Volcano". He bought his boat from Eckerd College in St.Petersburg, Florida and their info was that it was a homebuilt/modified Sanibel 18. From the HIN number, it appears to have used a Sanibel 18 hull. (It is the normal length of a Sanibel at 17' 2".)
Eric has found some additional information about his "homemade" Sanibel. Actually it is a combination of a Sanibel 18 hull and a Sovereign 18 deck.

Sovereign Yachts of Port Richie, Fl, made pocket cruisers much the same as the Sanibel and I found an article in the Small Boat Journal archives that described mine to a tee. All the hardware is the same and the starboard hatchway, ports,etc.
For whatever reason, the gentleman who had the boat, re-did the forward hatch and sliding top in Plexiglas? And I have been able to see where the second set of ports were closed off and re-fiberglassed.
![]() Now this is a potential first mate.Notice the side entrance into the cabin, instead of the normal middle location. |
![]() Can you have two first mates?Notice the forward hatch on the bow instead of the cabin top. |
![]() Eric getting ready for a short sail. Notice the single port on each side of the cabin, instead of the normal two ports. |
![]() Ah...this is what it is all about. |
![]() Now this is where the action is. Apparently, the sails are re-purposed from another boat. |
![]() Isn't life grand. |
![]() Notice the lose footed main sail. |
![]() After a great day of sailing. Ready to go home. |
Some interesting differences are:
Eric bought the boat, cleaned her up and painted the interior over the Thankgiving holiday. It did not have a finished interior, so Eric has built a floor and seating area in the forward part of the cabin. He is now waiting on cushions for the cabin. He does have a Jib which he used on New Year's Day. He has a "sweet" boat.